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MANILA, Philippines – Even all the way from New York City and so early in the morning, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach rose up to tune into the first presidential debate for the 2016 elections and shared her thoughts on the event, though she refrained from endorsing any candidate.
“I’m so glad I woke up for this,” she tweeted via her personal account, as the debate was in Round 2, which tackled issues related to poverty and development, when she woke up.
She said an event like this was important to help others gain a better understanding of the candidates and issues in time for elections, and in jest, even drew parallels with her experience in pageants: “Parang Q&A lang may time limit pa.” (It’s like the Q&A, there’s even a time limit.)
I never thought watching the Philippine presidential elections could be so exciting. Parang Q&A lang may time limit pa
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
Ang hirap sumagot ah. Di biro yan. #PiliPinasDebates2016
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
"How will you tell the world that your country is a nation of hope?" I like that question.
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
She asked netizens over Twitter to join in the discussions, while remaining impartial. Acknowledging her position of influence, she wrote that she will not declare her choice of candidate: “I am not leaning towards any candidate so as not to influence anybody.”
I am not leaning towards any candidate so as not to influence anybody. The decision is YOURS. Not mine. 🙂 and MY decision stays private.
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
Wow. Intense. Hahaha I love it. Im a little bummed that I can’t comment much as I have to stay neutral but this is good. Really good!
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
She was also pleased, personally observing that more women and youths were engaging in online discussions.
Mas maraming babae kaysa sa lalaki ang aktibo sa diskusyon. At maraming kabataan. Ang galing!! Ganyan dapat. Involved lahat.
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
Wurtzbach also explicitly declared her stance on death penalty, saying that “Criminals aren’t afraid of death, they’re afraid of getting caught.”
No to death penalty. Criminals aren’t afraid of death, they’re afraid of getting caught.
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
There were lighter moments, too. For instance, when host Mike Enriquez commented that the fishbowl of questions was “confidently masikip (tight),” Pia tweeted this:
LOL!!!! Ano daw?!? Confidently masikip
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
She even traded quips with TV host Luis Manzano, who injected some comic relief into the tweets about otherwise serious discussions. Nonetheless, he also personally encouraged fruitful debates among citizens, separately tweeting, “So far, based on the debates, who has your vote? Poe, Roxas, Duterte, Santiago or Binay? (Please include why).” (READ: Celebrities on first presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro)
Hinihintay ko nga pagusapan nila ka-gwapuhan ko e. https://t.co/GzPDGlxR8X
— Luis Manzano (@luckymanzano) February 21, 2016
@luckymanzano Hahahaha!! Baka sa next round. Hintay ka lang. Mabubunot rin ang tanong na yan from the fishbowl.
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
@luckymanzano adding some comic relief lang naman si Luis. It’s a serious topic yes but no need to get your blood boiling kalma Lang guys
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
The reigning Miss Universe also had her share of detractors.
Hey, no bashing. Keep your eyes and ears on the debate. Set aside any prejudgment. This is the elections we’re talking about.
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
In a tweet directed at her – now deleted – she was questioned why she cared, considering that she’s not in the country. She replied that the detractor should consider asking the same to all the Filipinos around the globe who couldn’t be at home.
At dahil wala ako dyan wala akong katapatan? Yan rin ba gusto mo sabihin sa lahat ng OFW? https://t.co/OMu6jyRoBG
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
Wurtzbach expressed her view on the value of the debate, saying that “it gets people thinking.”
What I like about most about this debate is that it gets people thinking. Exactly what the people need so they can decide for themselves
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
I’m so proud! I hope this enlightened many of our countrymen. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! #PiliPinasDebates2016
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) February 21, 2016
Two more presidential debates in Luzon and Visayas are scheduled on March 20 and April 24.
How did you feel about the presidential debate? Tell us in the comments below.
– Rappler.com
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